Each year, MC Sportsâ€”which has 80 stores across Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohioâ€”awards the title of Vendor of the Year to one hard goods vendor and one softgoods vendor. This year, Confluence Watersports, a leading manufacturer in the growing paddlesports industry, earned MC's accolades in the hardgoods division.

The selection is based on a number of factors including responsiveness to business needs and return on investment, according to MC Sports executives.

â€œConfluence was instrumental in driving our boat business,â€ said Bob Slusser, divisional merchandise manager for MC Sports hardgoods. â€œTheir ability to segment the market with unique product and deliver boats with very little lead time was the driving force behind our record sales year for the category. We are very pleased to recognize their contribution to the success of our business,â€ said Slusser.

â€œIt's an honor to work with MC Sports,â€ said Sue Rechner, president and CEO, Confluence Watersports. â€œOver the past several months, Confluence has been especially focused on making sure that we are the best possible partners with our dealers. This recognition speaks directly to the progress we're making,â€ said Rechner. â€œGreg Larson, our eastern great lakes regional sales manager, and all our reps in this territory are doing an exceptional job,â€ adds Rechner.

ABOUT MC SPORTSBased in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1963, MC Sports specializes in outfitting athletes of all levels with authentic, top name sports equipment, footwear, and apparel. MC Sports operates 80 full-line sporting goods stores throughout the Midwest and can be found on-line at www.mcsports.com. For more information, contact: Ed Rix, V.P. Marketing, erix@michsport.com; (616) 285-1609

ABOUT CONFLUENCE HOLDINGS CORP.Confluence Holdings Corp, the premier paddlesports company in the world, manufactures and distributes water sports equipment in Easley, SC. The Confluence family of brands include Mad River CanoeÂ®, Wilderness SystemsÂ® touring and recreational kayaks, Wave SportÂ® whitewater kayaks, and DaggerÂ® touring and whitewater kayaks, PerceptionÂ® touring and whitewater kayaks, MainstreamÂ® recreational kayaks, HarmonyÂ® paddlesports accessories and AT PaddlesÂ®. The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Confluence Watersports Canada, Inc., distributes all the brands in Canada. For more information visit www.confluencewatersports.com

Easley, S.C. â€“ Confluence Watersports has recently appointed Montbell Co., Ltd. as the exclusive distributor in Japan for Wilderness Systems and Wave Sport kayaks, and Adventure Technology Paddles. Montbell Co. Ltd. is already the exclusive distributor in Japan of three other ...read more

EASLEY, S.C.â€“ Confluence Watersports has expanded its marketing department, allowing for an intensified focus on social media efforts for each of its brands. With the internal promotion of Craig Ray to manager of marketing communications and the new hire of Jessica Wessinger to ...read more

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EASLEY, S.C. (June 30, 2011)â€“ Confluence Watersports welcomes sales representative Matthew Yablonowski to its North American sales team. Yablonowski will be responsible for maximizing sales and the retailer experience for all Confluence brands with independent specialty ...read more

EASLEY, S.C. (December 20, 2010) â€“ Confluence Watersports proudly announces that Bomber Gear will join its group of leading paddlesports brands. Bomber Gear, originally founded in Durango, Colo., is a premium, authentic paddlesports brand that specializes in the design of ...read more

Confluence Watersports will be manufacturing the entirety of its composite boat program in China, effective June 2009. Composite boats from their Wilderness Systems brand will be manufactured in a family-run factory in Hangzhou, China. While ultimately it is a decision to lower ...read more

EASLEY, S.C. â€“ On July 1, 2008, Confluence Watersports signed with Verde PR & Consulting as the paddlesports company's public relations agency of record. Confluence's brand strategies and marketing initiatives are focused on re-launching their family of brands with clear ...read more